It was such an honor and a blessing to have attended the Susan Taylor Brunch and Blessings event yesterday. It gave me a sense of peace and re-established my purpose. People try to make you feel like you are just complaining when you discuss what you know to be wrong in America. However, to hear people of color in positions of power speak out about what we must do to save our children totally gives you a strong foundation on which to build.
Susan Taylor not only opened the eyes of our understanding, she reminded us of how important it is to rely on the Holy Spirit as your helper. She emphasized that our people are not lazy, but that they are fearful. She helped give perspective on why we haven't been as progressive as we should. She made it clear that we have to change our minds to transform our lives. Her testimony as a struggling single mother who could not advocate for herself but today can advocate for so many others through this movement was outstanding. She expressed how important it is to know as one person we may not change this thing but collectively we can change this crisis for our children.
What touched me deeply was when she said "when her daughter was 1 years old she felt suicidal but she had no one to take care of her daughter" and I thought how many of us go through that? I heard my mother say "that if she did not have to take care of us when we were little she would have gone home to her Lord to be free." It is amazing how our children give us hope and the strength to hold on. Look at what an imperative role they play in our lives. It just further strengthens the argument of their great value and why we must assume our positions and protect the future.
Susan Taylor further shared on our relationships and how we must not give everyone a front row seat in our lives. She stated "sometimes things fall apart for a reason." Stop holding on to people .......and start examining how we treat one another." Her statement truly rang in my ears. She stated "we are not taking care of our communities and our children because we are not taking care of ourselves." She further reminded us that "hurt people hurt people."
Her perspective and her testimony of her ex husband cheating on her was so interesting. She said "she was grateful it fell apart at age 23 and not at 43 or 63 when it would have been more difficult to leave." It truly made one understand that we must always look for the good in every situation even when we think it is a bad one. For as scripture states it is all working out for our good.
I was thoroughly impressed with how Susan Taylor expressed her concern for our young black males and how they may sometimes face post traumatic stress; due to their environments and how their young bodies are not withstanding it as we as adults would. It was truly an eye opener as she expressed the death toll many of our children are facing in the schools and the changes they are facing as the schools are closing down. It truly reopened my eyes to the urgency we all need to have towards becoming mentors and connecting mentors with our children.
In closing, I want to share what truly encouraged me was when she stated "you are made in the image and likeness of God, you have the ability to create anything you see." She also used Paschal's restaurant and Mr. Russell as a true testimony of what a black man accomplished and how he transformed that area even today. It was uplifting and inspinring and I thank God for the opportunity to sit at Susan Taylors feet yesterday and just take in the wisdom she shared with all of us. I have always been grateful for her writings in Essence magazine and I will forever treasure the Essence Book she autographed and blessed us with as a part of our Brunch and Blessings gathering. May God continue to strengthen you as the soldier you are on this journey and may he give all of us the courage and strengthen us to assist in making the Movement change the lives of all of our children to create a better future for all.
No comments:
Post a Comment